Baker Lake women research mining impact

Two local men work at the fuel storage site at the proposed Kiggavik uranium mine, near Baker Lake, Nunavut. (The Canadian Press)

Baker Lake women are researching the impact of the mining industry in the area.

Rebecca Kudloo, interim president of Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada, said a workshop will help Baker Lake women learn how to conduct research and interviews. They'll talk about the positives and negatives of the mining industry.

"Mining is [occurring] at a rapid rate in the North, Baker Lake being the first one with a mine," said Kudloo. "It was decided we need to look into how mining affects women because it does affect women differently than men."

Frank Tester, a social worker from the University of British Columbia is in Baker Lake to assist. "I'm very much against researchers coming into a community and doing research and then disappearing, what's left behind ... nothing," said Tester.

"I think that Inuit are all capable of doing research and doing a really good job of it."

Tester said data collected by the researchers will be turned into a report, available to the public and other organizations.